***

Preparing to go to the north took more effort than expected.

We had to teleport more than five times to reach Eslina, so I needed to get official permission from the Count for an overnight stay.

So, we couldn’t leave for quite a while even after lunch.

“Demian, you clearly said we’d leave after lunch because you were afraid I’d be late!”

I grumbled as we headed to the Count’s office.

“Haha. The butler knows you well, my lady.”

“What did you say?”

Shocked by Irena’s reaction, which didn’t take my side, I stared at her with wide eyes.

She quickly averted her gaze.

“Ah, we’re here, my lady!”

“Irena, you’re becoming more and more……”

Knock knock-

“Count, Lady Lora has arrived.”

As I was about to say something, they quickly informed the Count of my arrival. I couldn’t hide my bewildered expression.

“Come in.”

‘I’m sorry, my lady.’

Irena mouthed, and I made a gesture of slitting my throat as if threatening her before entering the study.

I heard Irena chuckling outside, which made me smile too. I thought I should keep her away from Demian more often.

“Um. Hello, Count.”

“Yes, what is it?”

The Count, who had been looking at me strangely as I grinned, composed his expression and turned his attention to his documents.

He asked me about my business and then resumed moving his pen. I had nothing else to say, so I got straight to the point.

“I’d like to go out to look at mansions in the north. Please give me permission. It will take a few days.”

Pause-

The Count briefly stopped his hand, which was signing documents.

“The north. When do you plan to leave?”

“Today.”

“I see. I’ll assign two knights to accompany you.”

He calmly gave permission and even provided knights.

I was grateful for that.

“And I’d like to take Demian and Irena with me. Is it alright for the butler to be away?”

“Go ahead.”

He easily allowed Demian to go as well.

After that, he didn’t look at me until I said goodbye and left the office.

***

So, after Irena packed the luggage, Demian carefully checked the documents, and the knights arrived, we were finally able to depart for the north.

Having seen Demian get severely motion sick last time, and with Irena joining us this time, we took our time with the teleportation.

As a result, it was already night when we arrived in Eslina.

“I’ve arranged accommodations in advance. Are you not feeling well?”

“Hmm, I’m fine. Irena, are you okay?”

Irena’s lips quivered, her face pale.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me……”

“Can you walk?”

“Of course……”

There was no strength in her voice at all.

“This won’t do. Irena, shall I support you?”

“No, my lady. I’m really fine. Let’s go.”

Not wanting to worry us, Irena walked ahead, and we had no choice but to follow her pace. I wanted to ask the knights behind us to support her, but I felt Irena wouldn’t like that.

“Welcome. This is the Sunrise Hotel.”

“Three rooms, please. I made a reservation earlier today.”

“Ah, are you Mr. Demian? Please follow me. We’ll send the meals to your rooms.”

Guided to the best rooms in the accommodation, we decided that Irena and I would share a room, while the knights and Demian would take another. Suddenly, the brown-haired knight stepped forward.

“I’ll stand guard, so please sleep without worry.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“No! I will be responsible for the lady’s safety!”

It was a completely different attitude from when I first possessed this body, when no one cared whether I took midnight walks alone or not.

I don’t even feel bitter about it anymore.

No, rather than not feeling bitter, it would be more accurate to say that I felt nothing, as if looking at a complete stranger.

“Alright then.”

As if telling him to do as he pleased, I answered and entered the room.

Irena, who followed me in, started bustling about with a pale face.

“My lady, I’ll draw you a warm bath.”

“Just rest a bit. I know how to do that much myself.”

“No, I can do it- Ah!”

Wobble-

She tried to get up quickly to go to the bathroom but staggered.

“Irena!”

Thud-

“Phew-“

I barely managed to catch her waist with both arms, while she grabbed onto a nearby table to avoid falling.

“See! Staying still is how you can help. You can do it later when you feel better.”

“Yes.”

After dissuading Irena, who was trying to attend to me despite her pale face, I bathed alone and came out feeling completely drained.

“Irena, you should bathe too. It’s okay, don’t feel too guilty. It’s your first time teleporting, what can you do?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Irena went to bathe with a dejected face.

Knock knock-

“My lady, your meal has arrived.”

“Okay. Bring it in.”

A moment later, the knight received the meal from the staff and brought it in. It was soup with meat and bread.

I munched on my meal, fed some soup to Irena as well, and then we went to bed.

***

The next day, we went to the real estate agency that Casto had connected us with to look at houses.

[Giaman’s Real Estate Agency]

“This is said to be the largest certified real estate agency in Eslina. It’s also a business partner of the Helena merchant group.”

“I wonder what they trade with the merchant group?”

“Well, perhaps they act as intermediaries for foreigners purchasing domestic mansions?”

We had this small talk as we opened the door and entered.

“Welcome. If I may ask, how can I assist you today?”

Seeing me arrive with a maid, two knights, and an attendant, the employee asked very politely.

“I’m here to look at mansions. Casto from the Helena merchant group probably informed you in advance.”

“Ah, you must be Lady Epine. Please wait a moment.”

The employee went upstairs, and soon after, a plump middle-aged man came hurrying down.

“Oh my! Welcome, welcome. I’m Giaman of Giaman’s Real Estate Agency. We’ve been expecting you. Please, come this way!”

“His way of speaking is peculiar. Is this the local dialect?”

“No, it’s not.”

As I whispered while following him, Demian replied with an exasperated tone.

Upon reaching the office, I handed him a picture of the mansion I had ranked first.

“I want to buy this mansion.”

Looking at the picture I handed over, Giaman’s expression became troubled.

I had a bad feeling about this.